BY: Bryce Grundy, Hartford Wolf Pack
Hartford, CT, March 6, 2020 – The Hartford Wolf Pack suffered its first home shutout-against of the season Friday night, a 1-0 loss to the Hershey Bears in the first of back-to-back games between the two teams at the XL Center.
Vitek Vanecek stopped all 30 shots he faced in the Hershey net, and the teams played more than 54 scoreless minutes before Ed Wittchow scored the only goal of the game at 14:12 of the third period. J-F Berube made 16 saves in the Wolf Pack net.
The game had significant standings implications, as the Atlantic Division-leading Bears (36-18-3-3, 78 pts.) widened the gap between themselves and the third-place Wolf Pack (31-17-6-5, 73 pts.) to five points.
“Every game is important this time of year,” commented Berube. “We have to take the positive out of it. There were a lot of good things we did tonight.”
“Besides the first ten minutes, I thought we played a pretty good game,” said Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch. “A lot of credit to Hershey, they’re a good hockey team.”
There were multiple scoring opportunities, coupled with a high pace of play, despite neither team showing up on the scoresheet in the first period. Hartford’s Mason Geertsen provided some energy with a thunderous heavyweight fight against Wittchow at 6:33 of the first period.
“We knew this was going to be an intense game,” mentioned Knoblauch, “physical, and what’s on the line with the standings. We need to play with that presence.”
The second period was an extension of the first – a scoreless period but relentless pressure by both clubs. The Wolf Pack and Bears were tied in shots after 40 minutes as well, at 13 apiece, until the Wolf Pack exploded for 17 in the third.
“The second half of the game I thought we spent a lot of time in their zone,” said Knoblauch. “The effort was there.”
On the winning goal, an aggressive Hershey fore-check led to a turnover in the Wolf Pack defensive zone. Strong cycling below the net created a feed to a wide-open Wittchow at the left faceoff dot, and he blasted a one-timer past the catching glove of Berube towards the top right corner. Brian Pinho and Shane Gersich assisted on the goal.
“J-F came up huge, especially early in the game,” said Knoblauch.
“We, maybe deserved a better outcome,” noted Berube. “Forget about it tonight, move onto tomorrow and get back at it.”
The Wolf Pack and Bears tangle again Saturday night at the XL Center, with faceoff at 7:00. That is Military Appreciation Night, and the team will wear specialty military-themed jerseys. Those will be auctioned off during the second intermission, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting local veteran and military organizations. Also, the first 2,000 fans into this game will take home a free Wolf Pack reversible drink koozie, courtesy of CT-DOT.
Tickets for all 2019-20 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (860) 722-9425. Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase.
To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (860) 722-9425, or click here to request more info. To visit the Wolf Pack online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com.
Hershey Bears 1 at Hartford Wolf Pack 0
Friday, March 6, 2020 – XL Center
Hershey 0 0 1 – 1
Hartford 0 0 0 – 0
1st Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Wittchow Her (instigating, fighting, misconduct – instigating), 6:33; Geertsen Hfd (fighting), 6:33; served by Sprong Her (bench minor – too many men), 8:49.
2nd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-No Penalties
3rd Period-1, Hershey, Wittchow 5 (Pinho, Gersich), 14:12. Penalties-Sprong Her (tripping), 19:02.
Shots on Goal-Hershey 10-3-4-17. Hartford 7-6-17-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Hershey 0 / 0; Hartford 0 / 3.
Goalies-Hershey, Vanecek 18-10-1 (30 shots-30 saves). Hartford, Berube 13-15-4 (17 shots-16 saves).
A-4,489
Referees-Troy Paterson (29), Brandon Schrader (46).
Linesmen-Ben O’Quinn (92), Brent Colby (7).
Related
Related posts
Top picks
WOLF PACK PREGAME: ATLANTIC SEMIS VS. BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins open their second Calder Cup Playoff series in as many years against each other tonight at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The puck drop is set for 7:05…
WOLF PACK COMPLETE PAIR OF TRANSACTIONS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack Bryce McConnell-Barker Reassigned by Rangers, Maxim Barbashev Released from ATO HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club has reassigned forward Bryce McConnell-Barker to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack from…
ROAD WARRIORS LOST TO RABBITS; SWAMP RABBTS IMPRESSIVE IN DEFEAT
SOLAR BEARS TAKE SERIES LEAD WITH OVERTIME WIN Orlando puts Greenville on the brink despite Colton Young’s 3-point night, Bobby Russell’s pair of goals By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a high-scoring affair, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell to the Orlando…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
WOLF PACK PREGAME: ATLANTIC SEMIS VS. BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins open their second Calder Cup Playoff series in as many years against each other tonight at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The puck drop is set for 7:05…
WOLF PACK COMPLETE PAIR OF TRANSACTIONS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack Bryce McConnell-Barker Reassigned by Rangers, Maxim Barbashev Released from ATO HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club has reassigned forward Bryce McConnell-Barker to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack from…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
ORLANDO ENDS SWAMP RABBITS SEASON
Swamp Rabbits show life late, but Orlando pulls away to win the series BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC– Jaydon Dureau’s two-goal night spearheaded a 5-1 Orlando Solar Bears win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Tuesday to win the South Division Semifinals…
SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2
Eberle nets game-winner; three multi-point performers shine in win BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—Tanner Eberle broke a deadlock in a wild third period to headline the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Game 2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears by a 4-2 score on Monday…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…
Stay connected with ours socials